NFC Divisional Round Preview Rams vs Packers

 

       NFC Divisional Round Preview Rams vs Packers 

The first game of the NFL Divisional round is on Saturday at 4:35 pm est and it will be between the LA Rams against the number one seed in the NFC Green Bay Packers. The Rams are coming off a very exciting win over their division rival Seattle Seahawks. The Ram’s defensive line was causing problems for Russell Wilson and the Seattle dreadful offensive line all day, Wilson was being smothered back in the pocket. Wilson was sacked five times in the Wildcard round leading to a 30-20 win for the Rams. Jared Goff even with a surgically repaired thumb had to come in when John Woldford was hit by Jamal Adam’s and took him out of the game. He protected the ball no turnovers and threw up a touchdown pass with how his defense was playing that’s all he needed to do. Especially when running back Cam Akers ran for 131 yards on 28 carries breaking a rookie playoff record in their first game. However the win didn’t come out with some major losses. The Rams have some major injuries. Jared Goff (thumb), Aaron Donald (Rib), Cooper Kupp (Knee), and back up quarterback back John Wolford (Neck). Rams third string quarterback Blake Bortles was not active last week. Expect him to be active especially with Goff’s thumb. Goff was clearly handicap during the game didn’t have the same buzz to the ball, and looked like he was in pain every time they hit him or when he threw it. He’s already bad against pressure healthy now with no thumb he gets worse. Against the Packers that defensive line and Akers will be super important. The blue print to beat the Packers is run the ball, keep Rodgers on the sideline, play physical at the line which the Rams do, and put a lot of pressure on Rodgers. The Rams also have a great corner in Jalen Ramsey who will matchup with Davante Adams maybe taking away Rodgers best option. However with all these other injuries in a cold cold Lambeau Field it will be tough. Being healthy playing Green Bay when they are home is tough in general it’s tough. The Packers are a top unit on offense as the world knows. They are fifth in yards per game and they are the best team at scoring points in the NFL which is how you win right? They are without maybe the best left tackle in football with David Bakhtiari being out with a torn ACL. So they went and signed Jared Veldheer who was on that stacked Colts offensive line. Yes he played last Saturday making him the first player to play for two teams in one playoff. The Packers offensive line will be very important against Donald and Brockner. The Packers have two All Pros on the offensive line with Corey Linsey and Elgton Jenkins. The line is 5th in sack %. Rodgers doesn’t get hit a lot and which is why the offense is so explosive their best player doesn’t really get touched. Many think of MVP Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adam’s when they think of Packers offense but there is more. Tight end Rob Toyan who had eleven touchdown in 2020, Aaron Jones who was a leading rusher once again, the great offensive line, Jamal Williams, AJ Dillion. The Packers are very deep on offense side of the ball. People also like to put down that defense but they have kept their opponents to under twenty points in the last five games. They held Derrick Henry to under 100 yards. Akers and Robert Woods will need great games to keep up with this offense. If you ask me the Rams don’t have a lot confidence in Goff. Most starting quarterbacks if they can play they’ll play but they benched Goff for Wolford. Used Goff as a “relief” in a one loss and you’re out contest? Sounds odd to me. The Rams will make the contest fun because they can play to the Packers weakness. However they are to hurt and going to the frozen tundra is hard enough. Especially how good Rodgers and that offense is playing. Packers win pretty soundly 35-20. 

By Matthew Doherty